By NNN-Nepal News
Kathmandu : Chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Ian Martin, has urged cooperation among political forces to create favourable climate for the upcoming constituent assembly election.
Addressing a news conference in Dhangadhi, far-western region, Thursday afternoon, Martin said, “There is still a lot to be done to make sure that the Constituent Assembly election takes place in November. I am confident the Election Commission can make the necessary technical preparations. It is up to the local political forces to create the right climate.”
He added, “I hope that political parties both in Kathmandu but also locally are going to cooperate together, go out to the districts and villages and ensure that there can be free and fair campaigning for all.”
Martin visited Kailali and Kanchanpur district where he held series of interactions with district administrators, security officials, electoral officials and civil society representatives on the situation in the region.
Informing that UNMIN is working closely with the Election Commission Martin said UN Electoral Advisers who have so far covered six far-western districts would be deployed to all nine districts in the region by September.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has assured that the Constituent Assembly (CA) election would be held on Nov 22 as scheduled and said there’s no reason to raise doubts about it.
During his meeting with a delegation of Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) at his official residence, Friday morning, PM Koirala said, “The government is committed and well prepared to carry out the CA election in a free and fair, and timely manner. So there is no need to raise doubts on the possibility of holding it.”
PM Koirala also said that it is very important that all should help in realising the election.
Similarly, toeing PM Koirala’s line, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhojraj Pokharel has affirmed that the Constituent Assembly (CA) election would anyhow be held on the stipulated date and has requested everybody concerned not to raise doubts, although still many challenges lie ahead.
Speaking at a programme titled “The Role of Young Students for the Success of the Constituent Assembly Election,” CEC Pokharel said that the youths should press the political parties for the election. He also requested the students to venture out into the villages and publicise about the election.
The remarks by both PM Koirala and CEC Pokharel has come at a time when many have raised doubts on the possibility of holding the election on time.